There are many pros to being a petite woman, but unfortunately, being able to shop with carefree ease is not always one of them. I would know—I’m a 5’2” (at a push) fashion editor. I’ve spent my career styling models in samples that would drag metres on the floor for me, dangling my legs off benches at fashion week and making weekly trips to my local tailor for alterations.
Of course, we muddle our way through, don’t we? And over the years, my fellow petite editors and I have made an effort to record all the helpful insider tips we’ve learned along the way—like how to build a capsule wardrobe of petite staples or where to find the best petite pieces on the high street. Most recently, I’ve been trying to decode some of the biggest trends of the moment so that we can wear them as easily as our taller counterparts. If you’ve been wanting to try wide-leg trousers, for example, I wrote about that here. And if you thought it was impossible to pull off a long puffer coat, well, I’m here today to tell you to think again.
I recently set out to find the best puffer coats for women below the height of 5’3” and was surprisingly successful. Yes, there are some out there that could probably eat us for breakfast, and I don’t blame you for being wary. But there are some simple tricks that actually make them wearable, whatever your height.
Firstly, don’t be scared of opting for a longer style. As long as it’s not dragging on the floor, it will actually elongate your silhouette. Secondly, opt for a light, quilted puff rather than a bulky Michelin Man–esque piece that could overwhelm. And finally, steer clear of “oversized” and “maxi” fits when shopping around unless they come from a petite collection where the proportions should already be tailored to you. Instead try mid-length options, which should still give you a longer look, or options with flattering cinched waists or belts.
Keep scrolling to shop the 15 styles I would particularly recommend…
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